The unit continued to bail out the offense throughout the first half, even scoring the team’s first points of the season. On the next Florida State possession — which began at its own 1-yard line, thanks to a stellar effort from the Spartans’ punting unit — Michigan State transfer defensive lineman D’Quan Douse tackled Florida Atlantic quarterback Cam Fancher for a safety.

It looked like Spartan’s offense could finally hold its own in the early stages of the game, but after another mistake – this time a fumble in the red zone – the defense was forced back onto the field to clean up the mess left by the offense.

However, Florida Atlantic’s offense would gain ground, aided by a targeting penalty on Spartan junior defensive back Malik Spencer on the very first play of the second quarter. He would be ejected from the game.

That penalty was the first of four against the defense in the first half. Fortunately for them, the unit made up for it with an interception by Spartan’s fifth-year senior defensive back Angelo Grose.

Grose ultimately led Michigan State’s defense, leading the unit with 12 tackles (nine solo).

Michigan State intercepted Fancher again on the Owls’ next possession. It was junior transfer defensive back Nikai Martinez, who returned the interception for 41 yards. That helped spark a Spartan drive that ended with the offense’s first touchdown of the game, giving Michigan State a 9-0 lead.

Martinez finished with the second-most tackles of any Spartan with six (five of which were solo) that night.

Michigan State would only allow a field goal in the first half. The offense continued to struggle in the second half, leaving the defense to carry the load throughout. In fact, the offense went scoreless in the final two quarters.

The Owls had several chances to take the lead when they trailed only 16-10 in the final period, but the Spartans’ defense held firm, with contributions from Grose, fifth-year senior defensive back Ed Woods, Bogle, linebacker Jordan Turner, junior edge rusher Anthony Jones and many more in key moments in the fourth quarter.

Despite seven defensive penalties, Michigan State’s defense, to be fair, saved the offense and held off FAU’s late comeback attempts. If penalties were one of the few low points for the defense in this game, it can live with that. Discipline can be fixed.

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